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Tanaka Rehab Continues

Masahiro Tanaka was one of the players the Yankees couldn't afford to lose for any length of time. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Derek Jeter will hit lead-off in his final All-Star game.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Yankees star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has gone through a stepped-up workout in his effort to return the New York Yankees’ rotation.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi says Tanaka made 50 throws from 60 feet before Tuesday night’s game against Detroit. That’s twice as many tosses as Tanaka took Monday in his first action since being shut down in early July because of a small tear in his right elbow.

Girardi says Tanaka’s latest session had “increased intensity.” The 25-year-old Tanaka will take a planned day off Wednesday and resume his workouts Thursday.

The Japanese rookie was 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA before going on the disabled list. He is hoping to avoid Tommy John surgery.

There is no timetable yet as to when Tanaka might be able to pitch again in a game for the Yankees.